Q1. Do you agree or disagree with the answer given in “the one action that will have the greatest influence on a successful outcome”? Why or why not?
I agree that during the progression of a structural fire ground operation from dispatch to termination of command strategic action by the first due fire officer will have the greatest influence on the successful outcome because usually, the actions of the first scene fire officer determine how the series of the events thereafter will follow. If he or she nails the responsibility accordingly the operations that will follow will have a great chance of progressing smoothly and safely. There will be random acts of tactical violence if the first scene fire officer fails to execute the response accordingly. This is usually evidenced by stress which always overwhelms the first fire officer to arrive at the scene of a fire.
Q2. What is your opinion of the author’s statement that “the execution of good strategy is much more difficult than the execution of great tactics”?
I share the same thoughts with the author that chasing tactics with strategy should not be the way the system is designed because it usually invokes anxiety which requires aggressive strategy. Therefore execution of good strategy is more difficult than employing great tactics because it leads to confusion such as the battalion chief arriving at the scene and tries to chase underway tactics with strategy.
Q3. Should the first arriving officer usually chose tactical (fast attack mode) or strategic command? Why or why not?
The first arriving officer should pursue strategic command to ensure that the successive operations have a chance of occurring intelligently and safely. Nailing his or her responsibility on a strategic command upon arriving at the scene first will ensure the successive operations run smoothly.
Q4. Do you agree with the author’s opinions on “Aggressive Strategy” and “Arrival Report vs. Size-up report”? Why or why not?
According to the author, a solid history of aggressive strategy is important to avoid eventualities like the death of firefighters and unintended outcomes. The author also alludes that execution of good strategy is quite difficult than the execution of great tactics which I contend with. The author mentions unintended outcomes such as no action plan, inadequate resources and being caught in the wrong place at the wrong time as some of the things associated with ditching aggressive strategy which I must agree with the author(Emery, 2012).
The author also tries to debunk the notion that arrival reports qualify as size-up reports. According to the author arrival report nurture aggressive tactics and frowns upon aggressive strategy. Arrival report details the arrival of the engine at the scene of the fire and communicates the course of the direction taken while a size-up report outline details of the scene and tactics to drive strategies to be employed.
Part II
Q1. How do the recommended size-up techniques in this video compare to Arrival report vs. Size-up report stated in the article? Explain?
In the video, it is recommended that when you are giving your initial radio report talk loud into a microphone. The first arriving officer should do a correct size up by determining what is happening. You can pass the command to an incoming unit but recall that you are also part of the unit so wait until the entire unit arrives before entering the structure. In the article, there is no evidence of engine 54 following size-up prior to going in with the hand line. Engine 54 just arrived and the officer gave a poor speech and embarked on aggressive tactics.
Q2. What is your overall opinion regarding giving a size-up report
It starts with outlining the receipt of the alarm upon the outbreak of fire, writing down information such as the address of the location and the type of fire should also be identified. The first to arrive officer should look for sign of the smoke or fire. In the report evaluate the layout of the rooms and the floor plan of the building. Report on life hazards and perhaps the civilians on the location and the magnitude of danger (Smith, 2009).
Q3. Discuss any additional items. Indicate the item(s) discussed and the discussion about the topic(s)
Application of information from size-up
Usually, information collected during size-up is useful for the success of the operations. During initial and ongoing size fire officer should ask the following questions to ensure that the correct strategies and tactics are employed. What does the situation need and what they have got?
References
Emery, M. (2012, 03). FIREGROUND OPERATIONS: How to nail your first-due strategic responsibility – part 2. Firehouse, 37, 84-86,88-89.
Smith, J. P. (2009, 12). High-rise buildings – part 2: Firefighting considerations and size-up factors. Firehouse, 34, 24-29.
